Affliction is a 2013 urban fantasy novel by American writer Laurell K. Hamilton, the 22nd book in the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series.

The novel follows Anita Blake and her various lovers as she travels to Colorado and works to uncover a series of murders and infections involving flesh-eating zombies.

Recognizing the potential danger, they assembled a formidable group of guards, including the skilled and loyal Nicky, Dev, Domino, Bram, Ares, and Lissandro, to ensure their safety on the perilous journey.

Rush, once a vibrant and charismatic man, was now lying in his bed, his body ravaged by the relentless onslaught of a rotting zombie bite.

While Anita and the remaining law enforcement agents present embarked on a perilous mission to hunt down the lurking vampires and zombies that plagued the town.

In New Orleans, Edward shared his intentions to arrange a wedding date and unexpectedly requested Anita serve as his best man.

As they delved into the heart of the matter, they discovered that the sinister force behind the decaying zombies was none other than Morte D'Amour, a figure long believed to be deceased.

However, Morte D'Amour had cunningly absorbed some of Marmee Noire's potent necromantic abilities, granting him the power to manipulate the dead.

Armed with this newfound knowledge, Anita and Edward resolved to confront Morte D'Amour and put an end to his reign of terror.

Anita's formidable strength as a monster hunter proved to be an overwhelming match for Morte D'Amour's necromantic prowess.

Publishers Weekly called Hamilton's take on zombies 'invigorating',[5] while Kirkus lamented that much of the book consisted of Anita ‘preaching to the choir’.